FBI Offers $20,000 Reward for Tips in Markowitz Case

In an unusual move, the FBI offered a $20,000 reward Monday for information leading to the capture of Jesse James Hollywood, a fugitive suspected of kidnapping and killing a 15-year-old West Hills boy.

Hollywood, 21, an alleged marijuana dealer with a taste for flashy cars, has been on the run for almost a year, authorities said. He fled his West Hills home in early August, just before the bullet-riddled body of Nicholas Markowitz was found in the mountains north of Santa Barbara. Four other young men--including 21-year-old William Skidmore of Simi Valley--have been charged in Markowitz’s abduction and killing.

Richard Garcia, special agent in charge of the FBI’s violent crime division in Los Angeles, said the brutal nature of the execution-style slaying justified a reward.

“We have somebody who’s a menace to society because he’s somebody who ordered the killing of a 15-year-old boy,” Garcia said.

Markowitz’s parents have also offered a reward in the case--with a twist. Susan and Jeff Markowitz put up $10,000 with the stipulation that if Hollywood turns himself in, they will put the money in a trust fund to help pay for college for Hollywood’s 12-year-old brother. Otherwise, the cash will go to the informant.

“His younger brother doesn’t have to follow in the path he took,” Jeff Markowitz said. “I’m not trying to be a nice guy here. I want him caught. And the easy way is for him to turn himself in.”

Rewards are typically offered when investigators hit a dead end or when they think the promise of cash will help loosen lips. Investigators said Hollywood’s trail has gone stale, and they suspect associates may be in contact with him.

“Somebody’s obviously helping him,” said Lt. Jeff Klapakis of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators tracked Hollywood through mid-August as he fled to Colorado and back to Los Angeles. The last confirmed sighting of Hollywood was reported Aug. 23 in West Hills. In the months since, taped segments on “America’s Most Wanted” and other publicity have generated reports of look-alikes from Mexico to Canada.

Authorities believe that Hollywood and his friends abducted Markowitz near his family’s home Aug. 6 because his older half-brother owed Hollywood $36,000 for drugs. The group allegedly took the boy to Santa Barbara, where authorities say he was held for two days before being shot nine times at close range and buried in the mountains.

The four men charged with Markowitz’s kidnapping and murder are Skidmore, Ryan Hoyt of West Hills, Jesse Rugge of Santa Barbara and Graham Pressley of Goleta. All have pleaded not guilty and await trial.

Hoyt, the accused gunman, will be tried first, said Santa Barbara County Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Zonen, who is prosecuting the case. Hoyt’s trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 16.

Hollywood, who also goes by the alias Sean Michaels, is described as white, with blue eyes, 5 feet 5 and 140 pounds. Anyone with information about him is asked to call the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department at 681-4150.